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  Discussion on Research Summary: 24 hr stalling did not increase stomach acidity
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DrO

Posted on Wednesday, Mar 12, 2008 - 8:15 am:

Here is a great study that questions that stalling alone increases gastric ph and predisposes to ulcers. A well designed study found no significant differences in gastric ph between stalled and pastured horses. If should be noted the stalled horses were fed hay free choice (ad-libitum). I think this is an important health factor for stalled horses.
DrO

Equine Vet J. 2008 Feb 5;
Effect of paddock vs. stall housing on 24 hour gastric pH within the proximal and ventral equine stomach.

Husted L, Sanchez LC, Olsen SN, Baptiste KE, Merritt AM.

Department of Large Animal Sciences, Faculty of Life Sciences, University of Copenhagen, Dyrlaegevej 48, DK 1870 Frederiksberg C, Denmark.

REASON FOR PERFORMING STUDY: Stall housing has been suggested as a risk factor for ulcer development in the equine stomach; however, the exact pathogenesis for this has not been established. OBJECTIVES: To investigate the effect of 3 environmental situations (grass paddock, stall alone or stall with adjacent companion) on pH in the proximal and the ventral stomach. METHODS: Six horses with permanently implanted gastric cannulae were used in a randomised, cross-over, block design. Each horse rotated through each of three 24 h environmental situations. Horses remained on their normal diet (grass hay ad libitum and grain b.i.d.) throughout the study. Intragastric pH was measured continuously for 72 h just inside the lower oesophageal sphincter (proximal stomach) and via a pH probe in the gastric cannula (ventral stomach). RESULTS: Neither proximal nor ventral 24 h gastric pH changed significantly between the 3 environmental situations. Mean hourly proximal gastric pH decreased significantly in the interval from 01.00-09.00 h compared to the interval from 13.00-20.00 h, regardless of environmental situation. Median hourly proximal pH only differed in the interval from 6.00-7.00 h compared to the interval 14.00-19.00 h. Neither mean nor median hourly ventral gastric pH varied significantly with the time of day. CONCLUSIONS: The change in housing status used in the current study did not affect acid exposure within either region of the equine stomach. The pH in the ventral stomach was uniformly stable throughout the study, while the proximal pH demonstrated a 24 h circadian pattern. POTENTIAL RELEVANCE: Since stall housing was not associated with prolonged acid exposure to the proximal stomach, this aspect alone does not explain the increased risk of squamous ulcer development. The circadian rhythmassociated with proximal intragastric pH warrants further investigation.
New Member:
rorien

Posted on Wednesday, Mar 12, 2008 - 10:39 am:

Hi DrO,

Interesting study. I wonder, though, if the results would be different, depending on the personality of the horse? Did one of their horses include a nervous and/or worrier horse?

The reason I ask is because I know the mare I have now could care less if she were in a stall or on 100 acres, or if she were alone or with other horses. However, the mare I lost last August was the biggest worry-wart horse I've ever known, and would literally walk herself into a hole if left alone, or left in a stall.

Do you think that would have any impact on the results of their study?

Just curious. =)

Nicole
Moderator:
DrO

Posted on Wednesday, Mar 12, 2008 - 7:20 pm:

They used the horses themselves as controls and compared the stall period and the non-stall period. They also compared stalled alone and stalled next to a buddy. But I do not know the temperaments of the horses but it is not clear that "nervousness" itself increases stomach acidity in horses. However if the horse were in such a state that he did not eat well, he might well see a more acidic stomach.
DrO
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